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The Sullivan Education Association (SEA) and the Sullivan Board of Education came to a tentative contract agreement Wednesday, November 8.

The contract was ratified by the SEA November 16 and approved by the Board of Education in a special meeting held December 4.

The contract is a three-year agreement on salary which keeps the starting salary at $34,029 for 2018-2019 and increasing to $34,268 and $34,468 during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. Read More

Photo by Mike BrothersJoining in on America the Beautiful were: Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England, Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden, Michelle Liddiard and County Treasurer Marci Thompson during the Bicentennial Dedication.

•December 6, 2017•

Moultrie County joined the Illinois bicentennial celebration with an 11:45 a.m., Dec. 4 flag raising ceremony on the courthouse lawn with some 60 people attending along with a hearty prairie wind.

This commemorated opening ceremonies of the state’s 200th celebration of statehood (Dec. 3, 1818). Presentation of the colors by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard along with The Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner were part of the ceremony.

County board chairman Dave McCabe read the proclamation of statehood, December 3, 1818 noting that the year will celebrate the history of Illinois. McCabe also noted that Moultrie County was founded Feb. 16, 1843 and will be observing 175 years during 2018. Read More

Photo by Mike BrothersOne Book One Sullivan announcement at a middle school assembly Nov. 21: Ryan Villalobos addresses the school along with One Book One Sullivan director Rikki Ray and committee members. Back row left to right: Clayton Schmohe and Sammantha Montague; front row left to right: Lane Richardson, Lilly Graham, Carlyn Fitzgerald, Elora Mast and high school media specialist Annie McClellan.

•November 29, 2017•

From five selections came one, and the reveal was made by One Book One Sullivan committee members to a Sullivan Middle School student assembly Nov. 21.

Members of the Sullivan Rotary Club, primary financial sponsors of the community reading program, attended to make a surprise announcement and present an award.

Rotary Club President Dan Fultz pointed out one person has remained dedicated to One Book, One Sullivan for the past 11 years, and that devotion has been instrumental in making the community reading program successful.

Fultz then announced that One Book, One Sullivan founding coordinator Rikki Ray was being honored by the Rotary Club for those years of devotion to duty and made the award presentation before the assembled middle school students. Read More

Photo furnishedCindy and Jan Braden (center) were allowed to share Cindy’s award as County Official of Illinois with family at the Illinois Association of County Officials convention last week.Back row from left Cindy’s daughter Katy Black and fiance’ Mike Burton; son Craig Black and girlfriend Erica Tomczewski. The children live in Champaign while Jan and Cindy reside in Sullivan.

•November 22, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden was named Illinois’ County Official of the Year at the annual conference in Peoria Nov. 13-15.

Braden was surprised not only by the award but the way her family kept the secret and attended the event at the Pere Marquette Hotel.

“I was shocked,” Braden said, explaining that since a circuit clerk had won the previous year, she figured it would go to another office holder. She was selected among four state officials nominated for the honor.

Braden learned that the fellow clerk who had nominated her had been conducting a secret phone call campaign to make sure her family attended the award session in Peoria. “It was totally unexpected, but I am happy a fellow clerk in the zone nominated me.” Read More

Photo by Mike BrothersSullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard presented the colors while the crowd stood at the annual Sullivan High School Veterans observance in the high school gym Nov. 10.

•November 15, 2017•

Following taps by John Mathias the gymnasium filled with Sullivan High and Middle School students observed a moment of silence out of respect for veterans.

The Friday, Nov. 10 observation of Veterans Day was prepared by Rebecca Lawson’s SHS Careers English Class.

The program included a mix of music, dance, testimony and honors for those who served in the various military branches.

Serena Spencer, a 2001 SHS graduate who served in Iraq in 2004 as combat support with the 1544th Paris National Guard unit, recalled her time overseas.

“Life is short,” she told the crowd of students and veterans being honored during the 10 a.m. assembly. “Those were the best and worst days of my life, and what I learned is that the people who care about you are what matters.” Read More

Enjoying one of the last legal pleasures and donating to a good cause is a gift giver’s delight.

So when Devon Flesor comes to Sullivan on Nov. 18, the gifts will flow with a chocolate flavor.

Flesor’s Candy Kitchens returns to Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More in Sullivan for the annual holiday candy sale Saturday, Nov. 18 for the benefit of the CEFS Moultrie County Food Bank. Twenty percent of candy sales that day goes to the food pantry.

There will be a variety of gift wrapped delights prepared on that day just in time for Thanksgiving (there will be turkey shaped confections). Plenty of the sweet treats will be on hand for Christmas giving to friends and family who appreciate handmade confections in all shapes and forms.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Flesor’s will be at Cathrine’s in Sullivan with gift selections from their 50 varieties of candies including Paul’s Pecan Favorites, created by grandfather Gus Flesor in the early 1900s. Read More

Habitat for Humanity volunteers are going above and beyond the call of duty replacing the roof of one of their greatest supporters.

Pastor Paul McGhghy stepped down from the pulpit at Faith Lutheran Church earlier this year due to health reasons. When Moultrie County Habitat volunteers and Habitat Care-A-Vanners learned he needed a roof at his Eastlawn home, they stepped up to help the man who had helped so many.

“This is not a Habitat official function,” Bob Gillespie, Care-A-Vanner team leader, said. “We’re just doing this for a friend who has made a huge impact on all of us and been a great supporter of Habitat for Humanity.”

Gillespie and his brother Jeff traveled from Michigan a week ago Sunday to join Moultrie County Habitat volunteers Gene Mueller of Sullivan and Lowell McGregor of Lovington on Pastor McGhghy’s roof replacement. Read More

Photo by Mike BrothersFeudin’ Hillbillys performed under the tent Friday.

•October 25, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

You know fall has arrived in Sullivan when it’s Oktoberfest, and the air around the square is redolent with chili bubbling away in big pots and folks waitin’ ‘round for a taste.

Summer is fading, the harvests are in and time to celebrate the changing of the seasons with one, big two-day community party just loaded with fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Oktoberfest is sponsored by the Sullivan Chamber of Economic Development.

A perfect, cool Friday evening welcomed firstcomers to the vendor booths, food trucks, wine and beer tasting and fine toe-tapping music by them Gringos and the Feudin’ Hillbillys. Read More

A crash that sent a busload of Teutopolis students skating down Rte 32 in February resulted in a two year prison sentence for Scarlett A. McKinzie in Moultrie County Circuit Court Tuesday.

McKinzie, 37, appeared before Judge Hugh Finson Tuesday afternoon for sentencing following her Sept. 12 guilty plea to a Class 4 felony aggravated driving under the influence charge.

Charges stemmed from a Feb. 10 crash at the intersection of Rte 32 and CR 800 (Findlay Road) when the van McKinzie was driving hit the side of the bus traveling north. The bus containing the Teutopolis basketball team, cheerleaders and coaches went out of control on Rte 32 and flipped on its side. Read More

The Titus Manor Annual “Family Fun Color Run” was held Saturday September 30. At 9 a.m., all runners were lined up and ready to go at Wyman Park. Some ran a 5K and some a 3K. Those who didn’t want to run, could walk.

“This is a really great time for families to get together and do something fun and healthy,” said Lisa Smothers, office manager. “It was a nice crisp fall day and we had a great turnout.”

After the run, awards and trophies were presented to the individuals with the fastest time in both the 5K and 3K categories. In addition to that, medallions were awarded to those who came in first in their age category. Read More

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Photo furnishedOV Youth AdvisorsOkaw Valley High School students Natalie Jeffers and Ethan Macklin along with Cullen Dyer and Spencer Johnson of Sullivan High School and Eusebio Briseno, Abbi Duzan and Kolby Rickman of Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School met recently with State Senator Chapin Rose at Richland Community College. Senator Rose has put together a Youth Advisory Council consisting of two outstanding students per high school in the 51st Senate District. Students discussed issues that are important to today’s youth. They will meet in Springfield in the spring so that the students may experience the legislative process firsthand and participate in a mock committee hearing. Pictured from left: Ethan Macklin, OV social studies teacher, Brad Ackers, and Natalie Jeffers.

The Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) is reminding consumers that the 2018 Open Enrollment Period ends Friday, December 15. All Illinoisans needing health insurance coverage for 2018 must enroll by 11 p.m. Friday, December 15.

In past years, consumers had time to change plans in January after receiving their first premium bill. With a shortened enrollment period ending December 15, this is no longer an option, making it important to select the right plan the first time.

“We do not recommend passively re-enrolling because prices and plans change every year. Cost should not be the only factor in choosing a plan. For example, consumers should be sure to look at a plan’s provider network and coverage,” Hammer said. Read More

In spring of 1967, the Sullivan’s Woman’s Club teamed with the Moultrie County Historical Society to sponsor a tour of Waggoner Cemetery in Whitley Twp. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Moultrie County. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.